Gang attack man 'plagued by yobs'

A man killed after tackling vandals on his street may have been trying to set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme after being plagued by yobs, residents have said.

The 57-year-old victim, a family man with children, was attacked by up to eight youths outside his house in Warrington, Cheshire.

He is understood to have gone outside his home to tackle the teenagers who may have been damaging his car. It is then he was attacked.

Cheshire Police have launched a murder inquiry and six young males, aged 15 to 19, are in custody.

Neighbours said the tree-lined street in the Fernhead area of the town, had been plagued by anti-social behaviour for year.

One said he understood the victim may be the same man who had tried to set up the Neighbourhood Watch scheme after suffering yob behaviour in the past.

Another neighbour gave emergency first aid with the victim's "hysterical" family nursing him on the pavement until an ambulance arrived.

He was rushed to Warrington General Hospital, following the incident around 10.45pm on Friday, but died with his family at his bedside.

Cheshire Police have not named the victim as they say not all next of kin have been informed yet.

A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said: "Additional patrols are now working in the community and officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident. Investigating officers say the assault does not form any part of a pattern."